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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Fionamck on June 8, 2005, at 11:40:02
I don't know if anyone can give me an answer to this. About six months ago I started developing nervous twitches again. I used to have quite noticeable ones as a child (eye-widening, finger tensing as well as some need to 'wipe' my hands if they touched something etc - it's all a bit vague and I am not sure that it was OCD). Not sure why I had them as a child except that I was sent away to boarding school when I was eleven, an experience I found really quite traumatic.
I have been taking Lexapro (upped from 10-20mg about 4 months ago) for 18 months or so for clinical depression.
The twitches seem to be getting worse. They involve hunching and tensing my neck down into my shoulders, clenching my hands into fists and, recently, tensing up my upper stomach muscles. It's somewhere between voluntary and involuntary; i know it's coming and I try to relax, but feel a great compulsion to twitch and often have to stop what I am doing so that I can tense my hands etc.
I don't know what this is, why it has come back or what I can do to stop it. I am also worried about people noticing (if they haven't already) and the obvious social stigma that brings with it. I also self-harm and feel that these twitches go some way towards increasing the frustration and feelings of losing control that fuel the cutting I do. I have a job which can be stressful and I am struggling to finish a master's degree in my spare time, my job is uncertain after the end of next year and I will probably have to move country again then, and my partner does not seem to be able to get a job he likes or focus on his myriad of business ideas for long enough to make anything work. So, yes, i think anxiety and stress are probably playing a big part. I am seeing a counsellor, but she has been unable for two weeks and i won't see her this week as she has had to go into hospital. I'm sure this has all contributed to the twitches. Can anybody help me with this? How can I stop?
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 8, 2005, at 12:01:22
In reply to Nervous twitches - causes??, posted by Fionamck on June 8, 2005, at 11:40:02
> The twitches seem to be getting worse. They involve hunching and tensing my neck down into my shoulders, clenching my hands into fists and, recently, tensing up my upper stomach muscles. It's somewhere between voluntary and involuntary; i know it's coming and I try to relax, but feel a great compulsion to twitch and often have to stop what I am doing so that I can tense my hands etc.
You're almost perfectly describing a tic, one of the diagnostic features of Tourette's syndrome.
Stress is indeed a factor. And many years can pass between episodes.
http://www.healthieryou.com/tourfact.html
The "cause" has recently been linked to the dopamine D2 receptor, but meds that hit that receptor can have some significant side effects.
The first thing you need to do is come to a better understanding of what you have to manage. A proper diagnosis, a little education, some stress management, perhaps some meds. There are also alternative strategies being used for symptom reduction.
Best,
Lar
Posted by Fionamck on June 9, 2005, at 22:39:26
In reply to Re: Nervous twitches - causes?? » Fionamck, posted by Larry Hoover on June 8, 2005, at 12:01:22
Lar, thank you very much for getting back to me on this. I had looked at Tourettes before and several things rang bells, particularly the link with low serotonin levels. Thanks also for the link. I read through it and things do seem to click. If it is Tourettes, it is probably mild as the tics are not always there; mostly when I am tired or stressed, and they seem to go when I am absorbed in something.
I'll certainly look into it more. Don't really want to take more meds. Stress reduction makes a lot of sense, but will take some time to work out. Worth it, though.
Thanks again.> > The twitches seem to be getting worse. They involve hunching and tensing my neck down into my shoulders, clenching my hands into fists and, recently, tensing up my upper stomach muscles. It's somewhere between voluntary and involuntary; i know it's coming and I try to relax, but feel a great compulsion to twitch and often have to stop what I am doing so that I can tense my hands etc.
>
> You're almost perfectly describing a tic, one of the diagnostic features of Tourette's syndrome.
>
> Stress is indeed a factor. And many years can pass between episodes.
>
> http://www.healthieryou.com/tourfact.html
>
> The "cause" has recently been linked to the dopamine D2 receptor, but meds that hit that receptor can have some significant side effects.
>
> The first thing you need to do is come to a better understanding of what you have to manage. A proper diagnosis, a little education, some stress management, perhaps some meds. There are also alternative strategies being used for symptom reduction.
>
> Best,
> Lar
Posted by justyourlaugh on June 10, 2005, at 0:21:06
In reply to Re: Nervous twitches - causes??, posted by Fionamck on June 9, 2005, at 22:39:26
i twitch in my lower back and legs..
very noticable...hands shake alot...but...mentally i am okay..i was sitting with a stranger who was staring..i said " does not bother me...does it bother you?" she bought me a beer...
j
Posted by Fionamck on June 10, 2005, at 5:24:55
In reply to fion.., posted by justyourlaugh on June 10, 2005, at 0:21:06
> i twitch in my lower back and legs..
> very noticable...hands shake alot...but...mentally i am okay..i was sitting with a stranger who was staring..i said " does not bother me...does it bother you?" she bought me a beer...
> jI like that. Thanks!
This is the end of the thread.
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